Author: Todd Scott

Michigan stands to lose millions in trail funding

The federal transportation bill (SAFETEA-LU) contained a provision whereas unspent transportation money could be pulled back from the states. It’s called a rescission and it took affect at the end of last month.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, Michigan is set to lose nearly $257 million in transportation funding.

Some of these transportation funds help us build non-motorized facilities and trails.

The biggest funding source is Transportation Enhancements. It’s helped build trails like the Conner Creek Greenways and Clinton River Trail. It’s also helping fund new bike lanes across Michigan.

According to an MDOT estimate, that fund is set to $13.1 million due to the rescission.

Another funding source is the Recreational Trails Program, which is administered by the DNR. With a rescission, the fund could lose $1.9 million.

Other federal transportations programs such as Safe Routes to School may also lose money.

Michigan is not alone on this. Other states are making similar cuts. Congress could override this rescission, but it’s not looking too likely at this time.

October 8, 2009
Goodbye Tri-Centennial. Hello Milliken State Park.

As we mentioned earlier, the DNR is renaming Tri-Centennial State Park on the Detroit RiverWalk to the William G. Milliken State Park.

Given the Governor’s background in conservation, this it certainly fitting. This background is highlighted in the name change resolution (see below) that was passed by the Natural Resources Commission last month.

Another conservationist will also be honored at the park. The Stroh family contributed funding in honor of the late Peter Stroh to help make this park possible. As the N.Y. Times reported, “Mr. Stroh was a founding board member of Conservation International and served on the boards of the Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society and the Atlantic Salmon Federation.”

Speaking of the park, the big question is when will this new section be open? The last we checked, portions of the bike path have been paved but more landscaping needs to be completed. The weather is really the determining factor on when the project will be done. The contract specifies a November completion and the DNR is still hoping for the end of this month. However, the rain and cold weather aren’t helping.

(more…)

October 7, 2009
New graffiti on the Dequindre Cut

It’s not everyday you see a car parked in the new Dequindre Cut.

But it was legit.

There were three artists adding graffiti. By the end of the day, their work was complete.

Model D has an article discussing this trail enhancement project.

Acting as project curators, CAID director Aaron Timlin and curator of graffiti art Tom Stoye selected four artists to create original murals along the Cut. Three writers — MALT, PHERS and TEAD — have completed murals on one wall near the Gratiot portion of the Cut, with an additional piece by GAME to be created in the same area this coming weekend.

According to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, other non-commissioned grafitti continues to be added in other parts of the Cut.

We should also note that the sidewalk improvements from the Dequindre Cut to Eastern Market along Gratiot Avenue appear to be nearly complete. This is a major improvement.

October 6, 2009
Kellogg’s surprising connection with cycling

W.K. Kellogg of Battle Creek, Michigan is famous for breakfast cereal. Everyone knows that.

What’s less known is his connection to cycling.

W.K. Kellogg was a member of the League of American Wheelmen (L.A.W.). Although not knowing when he joined, his membership number is very low (1,092) making him one of the first Michigan cyclists to sign up.

In 1897, Battle Creek had the third most L.A.W. memberships behind Detroit and Grand Rapids (but just one more than Escanaba!)

When the L.A.W. began life memberships in 1901, W.K. Kellogg paid the $10 fee. He was just the seventh Michigan cyclist to do so. (Nationwide, Detroiters Horatio “Good Roads” Earle bought the first life membership while Edward Hines had the sixth.)

With his brother, W.K. Kellogg started the Sanitas Nut Food Company in the late 1890s. Both were vegetarians who experimented with nut butter as a protein substitute. They even received a patent for this early predecessor of modern peanut butter.

Their company advertisement on the right was printed in a 1901 League of American Wheelmen Bulletin. This was an early example of a healthy, sports-oriented protein product.

But in 1906, W.K. Kellogg parted ways with his brother and the nut business to concentrate on breakfast cereals.

From the Kellogg Foundation web site:

W.K. went on to become one of the world’s wealthiest men. But with his puritanical conscience, he felt guilty living the lavish life of a millionaire. Instead, W.K. felt obligated to use his fortune for the benefit of humankind: “If I am successful in getting out of debt, and become prosperous,” he wrote in 1909, “I expect to make good use of any wealth that may come to me.”

In 1930, W.K. Kellogg made good on that promise when he established the Kellogg Foundation. During his lifetime, he donated most of his fortune ($66 million) to create the Foundation’s endowment.

But that’s not the end of the Kellogg/bicycling connection. The Kellogg Foundation continues to support bicycle-related efforts throughout the U.S.

For example, they granted $1 million to help develop greenways in Southeast Michigan. They’ve also committed $2 million to building a non-motorized trail from Kalamazoo to Battle Creek.

October 5, 2009
Cycling Negatives Worth Memorizing
Originally published in the Good Roads Magazine, June 1901. A publication of the League of American Wheelmen. Note that “wheel” is another term for a bicycle while “scorch” means to race or ride fast. The emphasis on the last tip is our doing.
- Don’t forget that it is just as far home as it is going out.
- Don’t leave your wheel outside an office building. Someone may win it.
- Don’t buy a wheel simply because it is cheap. Remember you have only one neck.
- Don’t overdo things at the start. Cycling is a good thing but like every other good thing can be worked too much.
- Don’t pay any attention to the big gear the fellow next door rides. Get one to suit your own style and strength and stick to it.
- Don’t rely on the other fellow having an oil can or wrench. Better take one along for he may have forgotten his.
- Don’t forget that you have a bell on your machine at the same time it is often better for you to go a little out of your way than to ring it.
- Don’t take your wheel apart everytime you come home from a ride. Keep it clean and see that the nuts are tight a good wheel needs little else.
- Don’t mind the road hog. He was born that way and it’s too late to teach him anything.
- Don’t scorch on the city street. There is not much glory in it and besides it is expensive.
- Don’t worry about the fellow with the big gear who gives you the ha ha on the level. Just lay for him on the next hill.
- Don’t take any chances at street car crossings. It is much easier to go around a car than through it and besides it is far more comfortable.
- Don’t leave your wheel at home when you can use it. You save expense get the exercise and are sure of a seat.
- Don’t ride all over the street. Keep to your side of the road but be sure you get what is coming to you.
- Don’t imagine you have the only wheel that was ever built. You haven’t. There are many others and just as good.
- Don’t ride hands off on busy thoroughfares. If you must show off your fancy riding hire a hall. You have much more room and then again the price of admission will pay for repairs to self and wheel.
- Don’t race on the park roads simply because the trotter ahead is going just as fast. This explanation is of very little use if you are the one caught.
- Don’t think that cycling is a fad. It isn’t. It is a healthy and pleasurable means of transportation to be used when necessity or inclination so dictates.
— Jos Estoclet
October 4, 2009